The Arsenal legend believes Chelsea FC have a slight advantage against Spurs at Stamford Bridge on Sunday

Martin Keown believes Chelsea FC will have a slight advantage against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

The defending Premier League champions will welcome their London rivals to Stamford Bridge in pursuit of a much-needed win.

Chelsea FC are in fifth place in the table and five points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the final Champions League spot.

Antonio Conte’s side have hardly been on an encouraging run of form following four losses in their last six Premier League outings.

Chelsea FC were 2-1 winners against Tottenham at Wembley in the second Premier League game of the 2017-18 season.

Former Arsenal defender Keown believes the Blues will have the upperhand thanks to home advantage after the international break.

“These two teams’ whole seasons could hinge on head-to-heads with one another,” Keown told the Daily Mail.

“Win on Sunday and Tottenham will open up an eight-point gap between themselves and Chelsea. These two sides could well meet in the FA Cup final, too.

“While this is a London derby and the teams do not have far to travel, I always wanted to be at home after an international break. I felt it gives you an advantage.

“There is a real rivalry between these two. Chelsea extinguished Spurs’ hopes of winning the Premier League in 2015-16 and knocked them out of the FA Cup semi-finals last season. They even beat them at Wembley earlier this season. Tottenham will feel there is some unfinished business here.”

Chelsea FC haven’t lost a home game to Tottenham since 1990 before the Premier League era.

The Blues managed to end Tottenham’s title challenge in 2015-16 after coming from 2-0 down to rescue a 2-2 draw in April.

Chelsea FC won the Premier League title with two games to spare after the Blues finished seven points clear of Tottenham.